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The first cohort of the San Mateo County Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) Program graduated in early December in a successful virtual capstone event. This amazing group of youth leaders worked incredibly hard over the past year to learn about complex environmental issues and take tangible action in their communities to mitigate global warming and catastrophic climate change. 

The final graduating cohort was made up of 50 youth leaders from 16 schools. The group met regularly through the year for twice monthly workshops and two retreats. Despite all of the extraordinary challenges this group faced due to global pandemic and climate disasters, they were able to push through and work individually or in small groups to collectively implement 27 community impact projects across San Mateo County. At the start of the program, only 50% of students felt knowledgeable about climate change, and 12% felt empowered to make a difference. By the end of the program there was a significant increase in both with 97% graduating feeling very knowledgeable about climate change, and 91% feeling empowered to make a difference. 

Each youth leader captured their experience and the impact of their community impact project in a case study and final presentation. View these case studies and presentations on the Community Impact page of the Youth Climate Ambassadors Website. 

The first year of the San Mateo County Youth Climate Ambassadors program was coordinated in partnership by the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability, San Mateo County Office of Education, Burlingame’s Citizens Environmental Council, and funding partner Peninsula Clean Energy. This group of coordinators could not be prouder and more excited to welcome the graduates into the San Mateo County Environmental Youth Leadership Network, where they will continue to take next steps in advocacy and action for a more sustainable and climate ready future. Organizers also look forward to kicking off the 2021 cohort in January, and working with the next group of solutionary youth.